Survey Technician

Job Title: Survey Instrument Operator

Job Description

The Survey Instrument Operator supports a wide range of land surveying assignments for roads, bridges, and building sites. This role assists and, when needed, acts in place of the Survey Party Chief to perform construction stakeout, boundary surveys, and topographic surveys. The Survey Instrument Operator sets and re-establishes lines, recovers property corners, establishes control points, and operates a variety of survey instruments to ensure accurate and reliable survey data for land development and construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Survey Party Chief in conducting land surveys for roads, bridges, and building sites.
• Establish and re-establish lines for construction stakeout surveys, easements, and property lines.
• Recover property corners and set traverse control points for boundary surveys.
• Set, mark, and verify stakes for construction stakeout projects to guide field construction activities.
• Direct the survey party in the absence of the Survey Party Chief and when acting on their behalf.
• Set up, operate, and properly adjust survey equipment, including data collectors, levels, and GPS units.
• Perform all aspects of stakeout and location surveys using applicable survey equipment and methods.
• Conduct topographic and land development surveys as required by project needs.
• Apply basic surveying principles and computations to solve field and office survey problems.
• Use basic calculators to make accurate arithmetic computations and record results legibly.
• Conduct research and evaluate survey data, including field notes, maps, and related documentation.
• Understand and interpret legal descriptions, engineering plans, maps, and field data to support survey activities.
• Follow relevant job-site and traffic control safety rules while working in the field.
• Care for, maintain, and properly handle surveying instruments and equipment.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and collaborate as an active member of the survey team.
• Follow directions from supervisors and adhere to project procedures and standards.

Essential Skills

• Experience in construction and land surveying, including stakeout and boundary surveys.
• Ability to set up, operate, and correctly adjust survey equipment such as data collectors, levels, and GPS units.
• Basic math competency and the ability to use a basic calculator to perform accurate arithmetic computations.
• Ability to record survey results legibly and accurately.
• Knowledge of survey computations applicable to construction and land surveys.
• Familiarity with basic nomenclature and symbols of drafting.
• Knowledge of surveying instruments, their use, care, and maintenance.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of land surveying.
• Ability to understand and interpret legal descriptions, engineering plans, maps, and field data.
• Ability to conduct research and evaluate survey data.
• Ability to apply basic surveying principles to solve practical field and office problems.
• Ability to follow directions and work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Willingness and ability to learn survey computer programs used for data collection and survey computations.
• Knowledge of state laws regarding the establishment of property lines and survey procedures.
• Familiarity with relevant job-site and traffic control safety rules.
• Experience with GPS-based surveys and topographic surveys.
• Experience supporting land development projects.
• Ability to handle frequent and sometimes heavy travel requirements.

Work Environment

This role is field-focused and requires extensive travel throughout Virginia and surrounding states, including heavy travel during the week to Cherry Point, North Carolina. Lodging is provided during out-of-town assignments, and per diem is available in accordance with company policy. The position may require overtime as project demands arise. Work is primarily outdoors on active job sites such as roadways, bridge projects, and building sites, where adherence to job-site and traffic control safety rules is essential. The environment involves regular use of survey equipment, including data collectors, levels, GPS units, and related instruments. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes free vision, dental, and life insurance, 80% of health care insurance costs covered, a contribution to a health savings account, and a 4% 401(k) match, providing strong support for both health and retirement needs. Survey Instrument Operator

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Virginia Beach, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36920.00 - $41600.00/yr.

• Free Vision, dental, and life insurance -80% of health care insurance covered -$900 contribution to HSA -4% 401k match

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.